2 Fresno fires leave nearly 40 homeless

August 5, 2012 12:00:00 AM PDT

FRESNO, Calif. --

Two different fires in Central Fresno have forced nearly 40 people from their homes Sunday night.

The first fire happened Sunday afternoon, at an apartment complex near Saginaw and Effie. Fresno fire fighters say food cooking on a stove caught fire, and the flames quickly spread from the kitchen to the attic.

Investigators say eight units were damaged by flames, smoke or water. Fire crews had a difficult time getting into the gated complex, but once inside it only took about 20 minutes to put the flames out.

"The save was that we were able to save and prevent the fire from spreading to 10 adjoining units upstairs and downstairs," said Captain Lawrence French with the Fresno Fire Department.

The Red Cross helped those forced from their homes Sunday night. There is no estimate on damages.

The second fire happened on Callisch Street near Shields. A residential structure caught fire around 9 p.m. A total of five people were forced from their home and no one was injured.

Investigators say the fire is "suspicious" in nature because there were reports of a man running away from the area.

There was no word on what caused the fire. The Red Cross is helping the family find alternate housing.